Sometimes when you stick a microphone in front of a driver’s face, you have no clue what they may say and a couple of times you’ll hear something that surprises you or gives you a bit of a perspective.

Throughout the 2020 season, I had the opportunity to speak to a bunch of different competitors. During those interviews, there were some quotes that stood out. So it seems only fitting we take a glance back through the year at what was said.

“We’ve been working ever since we started racing – 14 or how many years ever ago. To win a Pro Late race is just unreal, and Frostoberfest – it’s just unbelievable. Almost two weeks ago, we didn’t even plan on coming to this race and a week ago we came up with the money and thought, ‘Ah why not? Let’s have some fun,’ and we just worked hard all week on our stuff.” – Jade Franklin

“There’s always going to be a car out there that’ll be right on their set-up so we just have to be on our game more. The 78 (Jo Lawrence) had a good car so we just have to be better than that next time and dial that set-up right in.” – Brandon Watson

Photo Courtesy of driven4communications

“APC does such a great job at making sure they attract the best of the best and it would be hard to find a more competitive series in North America. I credit that to all the work they put into it and all the racers that show up to every event and make the events exciting.” – Pete Shepherd

“My thoughts going into the event are that we’ve got an amazing opportunity to get on track at Flamboro Speedway, a place that’s always putting on some of the best Pro Late Model races. We’re going to have a lot of eyes watching us with it being accessible at home, which makes it some added excitement I’d say!!” – Wally Wilson

“The Kulwicki program was the opportunity of a lifetime. It was such an honor to represent a legend like Alan. I learned so much from being apart of the program, so it’s hard to pick just one thing. I was so inspired by the other six finalists, and their charity/community work. If there’s one thing I had to take away from the program it would be that. How big of an impact you can have, even with small gestures. I’m really hoping to be apart of the program once more, to really put everything I learned to use and compete for the Kulwicki cup. – Danny Benedict

“We were real underdogs in that series in terms of equipment, budget, size of team, you name it. But on that day we took a car that qualified about second to last in the field and somehow passed about 15 cars in 100 laps to end up in fifth at the end of the day. I don’t think anybody saw that coming. Then we went back to Sunset again later that year and basically repeated the story, coming from the back of the field to finish fourth, so those were a couple of great days.” – Rick Burbridge on his most memorable racing moment – first career APC top-five at Sunset Speedway

“It means a lot to me. I always look for a challenge in racing. We do it for fun, and every time we come here it’s a ton of fun. But the competition level in APC is just so stacked, so difficult to be a strong runner. So to be able to have a strong run like this and take a win, it’s definitely high up there on my list right now.” – Jo Lawrence